Radio Day Wreath

Radio In Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for A Sustainable New Century

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Digital art image of commemorative mosaic celebrating a hundred years of Radio

The challenges faced by Radio (particularly in regions like Africa) underscore the need for transformative projects and solutions that can help radio stations navigate these issues and continue to serve their communities effectively into a new century.

Are you passionate about radio or working in the industry? Help shape the future of sustainable broadcasting in Sub-Saharan Africa by participating in our user preference survey for a cutting-edge audience analytics tool designed for African media stations

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On this #WorldRadioDay 2024, we reflect on the top five challenges that African radio must address to ensure a sustainable future in a rapidly changing socio-political landscape with disruptive technology. These challenges are:

 

  1. Editorial Independence vs Financial Sustainability: A study of local radio stations in Sub-Saharan Africa revealed a constant trade-off between editorial independence, financial sustainability, and community service.
  2. Technological Infrastructure: The transition to digital platforms is hindered by uneven access to the internet and technological infrastructure.
  3. Literacy Levels: Limited literacy levels can restrict the audience’s engagement with digital content.
  4. Colonial Legacy: The legacy of colonial interests continues to influence the content and structure of radio broadcasts.
  5. Survival of Community Radio Stations: Community radio stations, which have significantly transformed radio perception in Africa, face substantial challenges to their long-term survival.
 
Concept art image showing important role pulses play in nourishing Soils and people especially in Sub Saharan Africa.

WorldPulsesDay 2024: Pulses in Sub-Saharan Africa and Three (3) Interesting Facts

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Digital Concept Art Image depicting the nourishing impact of Pulses for People and Soil Fertility in Sub Saharan Africa

Celebrating The Power of Pulses to Nourish Soils and People

Digital concept art image interpretation of the theme of Pulses and Sustainable Agriculture in Sub Saharan Africa

1. Pulses and Sustainable Agriculture

Pulses are a cornerstone for environmentally sustainable agriculture due to their ability to biologically fix atmospheric nitrogen and enhance the biological turnover of phosphorus. They play a significant role in regenerative agriculture and bioremediation projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing significantly to the recovery of depleted land, and enhancing crop production, and food security

Key Fact: An estimated 65% of the arable land in Sub-Saharan Africa is degraded due to unsustainable practices, resulting in annual soil nutrient losses worth approximately US$4 billion. High-performing legumes or pulse crops can fix up to 300kg of nitrogen per hectare.

Digital concept art image showing Pulses re-energizing a malnourished person.

2. Pulses and Malnutrition

The population of the African continent is predicted to double by 2050, exacerbating malnutrition issues. Increased local consumption of pulses could significantly impact malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Fact: Local production of pulses in Sub Saharan Africa is expected to reach around 19.8 million metric tons by 2029 potentially improving nutritional health through increased local consumption. 

Digital art image showing a man working in a polyhouse for the cultivation and drying of pulses in Africa.

3. Greenhouse Production of Pulses

Pulse varieties such as cowpea, mung bean, and lentils are suitable for greenhouse conditions. This alternative production method can deliver increased yields, reduced water usage, and improved crop quality, which are critical success factors in pulse production.

Key Fact: Some completed projects across the globe demonstrate the feasibility of cultivating pulses like lentils and mug bean in polyhouses

Considering a Greenhouse Pulse Project?

Interested in a Cost-Benefit Analysis of Developing a Greenhouse Pulse Project? Make a charge-free inquiry using our consultation form on passolutions.com.ng.

World Wetlands_PasSolutions

World Wetlands Day 2024: Human Wellbeing and Environmental Balance in African Wetlands

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African Wetlands: The Cradle of Life

African wetlands are famously described as the cradle of life. Wetlands in Africa cover around 4% of the continental area. Wetlands are a source of freshwater, fisheries, moist soil for farming, and wild plants; key resources for vital life-support projects in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, food value chain, and construction industries.

However, there is a global decline in the size of wetlands! 

In Africa, the real and potential environmental impacts of several projects in the energy utility sector contribute to the decline of wetlands on the continent.
Top Wetland Degraders In Sub Sahara Africa: Oil Exploration, Open cast mining and Hydro Power Projects

Here are the top 3 energy utility industries that contribute mostly to the decline of wetlands in Africa:

  1. Crude Oil Exploration Projects

Crude oil constituted 8, 177, 523 TJ of the Total energy supply in Africa as of 2022 (IEA Data). Crude oil exploration has also resulted in significant environmental pollution of wetlands in Africa with critical socio-economic implications.

2. Mining Projects

Mining especially through opencast methods, frequently impacts wetlands due to their positions in the landscape and relationship to drainage networks. The impacts are ongoing, as many mined minerals such as coal, cobalt, and copper are strategic resources and will continue to be mined to support development.

3. Hydro Power Projects

Major threats to African wetlands include the development of hydropower dams, with some 200 new projects planned in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Take Action  

Preserve the Cradle of Life!

Are you involved in projects that could impact our precious wetlands? Let’s ensure they thrive for generations to come. Take action now! Log your service needs and requirements on our charge-free consultation inquiry form at https://passolutions.com.ng.   

Let’s work together to develop effective environmental impact monitoring plans and review EIA reports. Your actions today can make a difference. Join us in protecting our wetlands!